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Juan C. Sanchez-Arias, MD, PhD
Trained as medical doctor and neuroscientist, I’m currently investigating the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying cardiac arrythmias and seizures associated with a novel genetic variant in an ion channel adapter protein combinng model organism research, clinical genetics, bio-informatics, and computational modelling.
Education
Doctoral of Philosophy in Neuroscience
University of Victoria - Division of Medical Sciences
Victoria, BC, Canada
2020 - 2015
- Dissertation: Pannexin 1 regulates dendritic spine formation.
- Relevant coursework: Developmental neurobiology, Tools for the study of ion channels.
- GPA: 8.2/9.0.
Doctor of Medicine (Medico y Cirujano)
Universidad del Valle - School of Medicine
Cali, Valle, Colombia
2014 - 2007
- Pre-Diploma Rotatory Internship: Hospital Universitario del Valle ESE - Universidad del Valle. Cali, Valle. Colombia.
- Research Internship: Centro de Estudios Cerebrales (Centre for Brain Studies). Universidad del Valle. Cali, Valle. Colombia.
- Observership: Functional Neurosurgery. Department of Neurosurgery. University of Illinois Hospital & Health Sciences System. University of Illinois at Chicago. Chicago, IL. USA. Supervisor: Dr. Konstantin Slavin.
- Professional elective: Neurosurgery and Neurocritical Care. Department of Neurosurgery.Hospital Universitario del Valle ESE - Universidad del Valle. Cali, Valle. Colombia.
- Relevant Coursework: Functional Neuroanatomy, Cerebral cortex cytoarchitectonics, Scientific Integrity, Biostatistics, Addiction and Pharmacology, Systems Pathology.
Research Experience
Postdoctoral Fellow
Division of Medical Sciences
University of Victoria
Current - 2020
- Advisors: Leigh Anne Swayne, PhD; Laura Arbour MSc, MD,
- Area of study: ankyrin adapter proteins, ion channels, calcium and voltage dysregulation in caridomyocytes and neurons with ankyrin variants.
- Community medical genetics in inherited arrhythmias.
- Cardiomyocyte and neuronal calcium homoestasis
- Bioinformatics and computational modelling of cardiomyocte physiology.
Graduate Research Assistant
Division of Medical Sciences
Univesity of Victoria
2020 - 2015
- Advisor: Leigh Anne Swayne, PhD.
- Area of study: Pannexin 1 channels, dendritic spine plasticity, synapse formation, channel trafficking, neuronal cytoskeleton dynamics, neural stem cells, advanced microscopy for cell biology.
- Generated conditional and conditional-inducible knockout models for the study of cerebral cortex development.
- Optimized protocols to generate primary neuronal cultures from neonatal mice suitable for network analysis.
- Developed methods to visualize dendritic spines and filopodia in tissue sections and living primary neurons.
Research Medical Intern
Centro de Estudios Cerebrales
Universidad del Valle
2014 - 2013
- Advisors: Martha Escobar, MSc; Hernan Pimienta, MSc, Efrain Buritica, PhD.
- Area of study: functional neuroanatomy, cerebral cortex organization, traumatic brain injury, stroke, neuroprotection.
- Performed carotid ligation in Whistar rats using microsurgery techniques.
- Investigated diffuse traumatic brain injury using a weight-drop model, organotypical rat rain brain slices. fluorescent immunochemistry and microscopy.
Undergraduate Medical Researcher
School of Public Health
Universida del Valle
2011 - 2010
- Advisors: Enrique A. Estevez, MD and Elsa P. Muñoz, MD, MPH
- Area of study: ardiovascular risk factor assessment in spinal cord injured patient assisting to a tertiary-level hospital.
- Prepared a research project proposal, liaised with ethical boards, and established a network of collaborators to complete a standarized and regional survey in cardiovascular health.
- Led data managament and prepared reports and presentations to share project results in local and national meetings.
- Contributed to the assessment and management of patients with chronic spinal cord injury, including prescribing rehabilitation plans and ordering of radiological and laboratory ancillary tests. Discussed cases with Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation attendings and residents.
Teaching Experience
Foundations of Medical Pracitce I and II
Island Medical Program
University of Victoria
2020 - 2017
- Courses: MEDD412 (Year 1), MEDD421 (Year 2), MEDD422 (Year 2).
- TA for Neuroanatomy Bootcamp and Laboratories.
- Subjects: Cranial Nerves V & VII and Pain, Eye Movements and Brainstem, Cerebral Cortex, Functional Areas, and Blood Supply, Control of Movement and Cerebellum, Limbic System/Dementia
Service & Leadership
CIHR Brain Bee
Victoria Chapter
Victoria, BC, Canada
Current - 2017
- Organize and coordinate social media for the Victoria Brain Bee. Mentored high school students from the Greater Victoria Area who participated in the Brain Bee competition
- Secure funding to sponsor Victoria Brain Bee winners traveling to the CIHR National Brain Bee.
Let’s Talk Science
University of Victoria
Victoria, BC, Canada
Current - 2018
- Contribute to Neuroscience Outreach talks and high school science excursions at the University of Victoria - Division of Medical Sciences.
Who Can Become a Scientist? - A workshop for High School Students
Co-founder and Co-organizer
University of Victoria
Current - 2021
- “Who can become a scientist?” is a symposium for a high school age audience that discusses equity, diversity, and inclusion issues in science.
- It reflects on the stereotypical image of scientists and the importance of leveraging support from role models and mentors to increase diversity in STEM.
Neuroscience Graduate Student Association (NGSA)
University of Victoria
Victoria, BC, Canada
2020 - 2017
- Student Representative - Division of Medical Sciences 2017-2018.
- Contributed to organizing the Neuroscience Graduate Program Kick-Off. Liased and recruited keynote speakers for seminar lectures.
Awards
Research Trainee Award
Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research
N/A
2024 - 2021
NB Gilula Star Award
International Gap Junction Conference
N/A
2019 - 2019
- Star Award and lecture for top-ranked abstracts.
John & Myrtle Tilley Graduate Scholarship
University of Victoria - Faculty of Graduate Studies
N/A
2019 - 2019
Vera Allen Travel Award for Medical Sciences,
University of Victoria - Faculty of Graduate Studies
N/A
2019 - 2016
James A. & Laurette Agnew Memorial Scholarship & Award
University of Victoria - Faculty of Graduate Studies
N/A
2019 - 2015
BC Regenerative Medicine Travel Award
BC Regenerative Medicine Network
N/A
2018 - 2018
Donald Wagg Graduate Scholarship
University of Victoria - Faculty of Graduate Studies
N/A
2018 - 2017
University of Victoria Graduate Award
University of Victoria - Faculty of Graduate Studies
N/A
2017 - 2015
University of Victoria Student Travel Grant
University of Victoria - Faculty of Graduate Studies
N/A
2016 - 2016
University of Victoria Fellowship Entrance Award
University of Victoria - Faculty of Graduate Studies
N/A
2015 - 2015
School of Medicine Dean’s List
Universidad del Valle - School of Medicine
N/A
2014 - 2007
- Years awarded: 2007, 2009, 2013, 2014
Valle del Cauca Public High School Academic Excellence Scholarship
Infivalle-Colombia
N/A
2007 - 2006
Selected Publications
A systematic, open-science framework for quantification of cell-types in mouse brain sections using fluorescence microscopy
Frontiers in Neuroanatomy
N/A
2021 - 2021
- Juan C. Sanchez-Arias, Micael Carrier, Simona D. Frederiksen, Olga Shevtsova, Chloe Mckee, Emma van der Slagt, Elisa Gonçalves De Andrade, Hai Lam Nguyen, Penelope A. Young, Marie-Ève Tremblay, Leigh Anne Swayne.
- DOI: 10.3389/fnana.2021.722443.
- Type: Original research article.
Purinergic signaling in nervous system health and disease: Focus on pannexin 1
Pharmacology & Therapeutics
N/A
2021 - 2021
- Juan C. Sanchez-Arias, Emma Slagt, Haley A. Vecchiarelli, Rebecca C. Candlish, Nicole York, Penelope A. Young, Olga Shevtsova, Afnan Juma, Marie-Ève Tremblay, Leigh Anne Swayne.
- DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2021.107840.
- Type: Review article.
ATP Triggers Macropinocytosis That Internalizes and Is Regulated by PANX1
bioRxiv
N/A
2020 - 2020
- Andrew K. J. Boyce, Emma Slagt, Juan C. Sanchez-Arias, Leigh Anne Swayne.
- DOI: 10.1101/2020.11.19.389072.
- Type: Original research article.
Pannexin 1 Regulates Dendritic Protrusion Dynamics in Immature Cortical Neurons
eNeuro
N/A
2020 - 2020
- Juan C. Sanchez-Arias, Rebecca C. Candlish, Emma Slagt, Leigh Anne Swayne.
- DOI: 10.1523/ENEURO.0079-20.2020.
- Type: Original research article.
PANX1 in Inflammation Heats up: New Mechanistic Insights with Implications for Injury and Infection
Cell Calcium
N/A
2020 - 2020
- Juan C. Sanchez-Arias, Leigh E. Wicki-Stordeur, Rebecca C. Candlish, Emma Slagt, Irina Paci, Praveen P. N. Rao, Brian A. MacVicar, Leigh Anne Swayne.
- DOI: 10.1016/j.ceca.2020.102253.
- Type: Review article.
Consideration of Pannexin 1 Channels in COVID-19 Pathology and Treatment
American Journal of Physiology-Lung Cellular and Molecular Physiology
N/A
2020 - 2020
- Leigh Anne Swayne, Scott R. Johnstone, Chen Seng Ng, Juan C. Sanchez-Arias, Miranda E. Good, Silvia Penuela, Alexander W. Lohman, Abigail G. Wolpe, Victor E. Laubach, Michael Koval, Brant E. Isakson.
- DOI: 10.1152/ajplung.00146.2020.
- Type: Perspective article.
Ankyrin-B p.S646F undergoes increased proteasome degradation and reduces cell viability in the H9c2 rat ventricular cardiomyoblast cell line
Biochemisry & Cell Biology
N/A
2020 - 2020
- Lena Chen, Catherine S. W. Choi, Juan C. Sanchez-Arias, Laura T. Arbour, Leigh Anne Swayne.
- DOI: 10.1139/bcb-2019-0082.
- Type: Original research article.
Ankyrin B and Ankyrin B variants differentially modulate intracellular and surface Cav2.1 levels
Molecular Brain
N/A
2020 - 2020
- Catherine S. W. Choi, Ivana A. Souza, Juan C. Sanchez-Arias, Gerald W. Zamponi, Laura T. Arbour, Leigh Anne Swayne.
- DOI: 10.1186/s13041-019-0494-8.
- Type: Original research article.
A novel motif in the proximal C-terminus of Pannexin 1 regulates cell surface localization
Scientific Reports
N/A
2019 - 2019
- Anna L. Epp, Sarah N. Ebert, Juan C. Sanchez-Arias, Leigh E. Wicki-Stordeur, Andrew K. J. Boyce, Leigh Anne Swayne.
- DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-46144-5.
- Type: Original research article.
Exploring the Pannexin 1 interactome: In silico cross-analyses with postsynaptic proteins and neuropsychiatric disorder susceptibility genes
bioRxiv
N/A
2019 - 2019
- Simona D. Frederiksen, Leigh E. Wicki-Stordeur, Juan C. Sanchez-Arias, Leigh Anne Swayne.
- DOI: 10.1101/801563.
- Type: Original research article.
Pannexin 1 Regulates Network Ensembles and Dendritic Spine Development in Cortical Neurons
eNeuro
N/A
2019 - 2019
- Juan C. Sanchez-Arias, Mei Liu, Catherine S. W. Choi, Sarah N. Ebert, Craig E. Brown, Leigh Anne Swayne.
- DOI: 10.1523/ENEURO.0503-18.2019.
- Type: Original research article.
Probenecid Disrupts a Novel Pannexin 1-Collapsin Response Mediator Protein 2 Interaction and Increases Microtubule Stability
Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience
N/A
2018 - 2018
- Xiaoxue Xu, Leigh E. Wicki-Stordeur, Juan C. Sanchez-Arias, Mei Liu, Maria S. Weaver, Catherine S. W. Choi, Leigh A. Swayne.
- DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2018.00124.
- Type: Original research article.
Upregulation of inflammatory mediators in the ventricular zone after cortical stroke
PROTEOMICS - Clinical Applications
N/A
2017 - 2017
- Adrianna N. Gunton, Juan C. Sanchez-Arias, Esther O. Carmona-Wagner, Leigh E. Wicki-Stordeur, Leigh Anne Swayne.
- DOI: 10.1002/prca.201600092.
- Type: Original research article.
Perspectives on the role of Pannexin 1 in neural precursor cell biology
Neural Regeneration Research
N/A
2016 - 2016
- Juan C. Sanchez-Arias, Leigh E. Wicki-Stordeur, Leigh Anne Swayne.
- DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.193221.
- Type: Review article.
What Are Neural Stem Cells, and Why Are They Important?
Frontiers for Young Kids
N/A
2016 - 2016
- Leigh Anne Swayne, Juan C. Sanchez-Arias, Agbay Andrew, Stephanie M. Willerth.
- DOI: 10.3389/frym.2016.00020.
- Type: Review article.
Pannexin 1 Differentially Affects Neural Precursor Cell Maintenance in the Ventricular Zone and Peri-Infarct Cortex
Journal of Neuroscience
N/A
2016 - 2016
- Leigh E. Wicki-Stordeur, Juan C. Sanchez-Arias, J. Dhaliwal, Esther O. Carmona-Wagner, Valery I. Shestopalov, Diane C. Lagace, Leigh Anne Swayne.
- DOI: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.0436-15.2016.
- Type: Original research article.
Datasets
PFIA - Pipeline for Image Analysis of Cell Density in Mouse Brain Sections
Scholars Portal Dataverse
N/A
2021 - 2021
- Juan C. Sanchez-Arias, Micael Carrier, Simona D. Frederiksen, Olga Shevtsova, Chloe Mckee, Emma van der Slagt, Elisa Gonçalves De Andrade, Hai Lam Nguyen, Penelope A. Young, Marie-Ève Tremblay, Leigh Anne Swayne.
- DOI: 10.5683/SP2/KRGFTC
- Test Image Files and Associated Scripts
Society Memberships
Canadian Cardiovascular Society
Trainee Member
N/A
Current - 2021
Colegio Colombiano de Neurociencias
Professional member
N/A
Current - 2021
Trainee Steering Committee - BC Regenerative Medicine Network
Trainee member
N/A
Current - 2017
Society for Neuroscience
Postdoctoral member
N/A
Current - 2016
Canadian Association of Neuroscience
Postdoctoral member
N/A
Current - 2015